At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere, because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom, and we–you and us–stand on the backs of these tiny giants.
Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world and a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future
Visit the Butterfly Pavilion’s Website here: Butterfly Pavilion
Butterfly Pavilion Partners:
Richard Reading (he/him/his)
Richard Reading, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Science and Conservation at Butterfly Pavilion. He serves as an Adjunct Professor within the Department of Biology at the University of Denver; Affiliate Faculty with the Department of Agricultural Biology at Colorado State University; and a Fellow with the University of Nebraska’s Center for Great Plains Studies. Rich was appointed to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission in 2022, where he now serves as Vice Chair. Dr. Reading received a Ph.D. and three Master’s degrees from Yale University in Wildlife Ecology and Human Dimensions of Wildlife and an Honorary Doctorate from the National Education University of Mongolia. In 2020, Rich was honored to receive the Order of the Polar Star, the highest honor from the Mongolian National Government for expatriates, for contributions to conservation. He has conducted or overseen projects in dozens of countries, working primarily on grassland and arid ecosystems on six continents, with a focus on the Great Plains of N. America, the steppes and deserts of Mongolia, the savannahs and deserts of Botswana, and the Altiplano of Peru. His work focuses on developing pragmatic, effective, and interdisciplinary approaches to the conservation of wildlife and protected areas through research, capacity development, and working with local people and governments. Dr. Reading serves on the boards of directors or advisors for several non-profit organizations in the U.S. and overseas; serves as an associate editor for 5 scientific journals; has published over 235 scientific papers and book chapters; written dozens of popular articles; and written or edited 10 books.
Megan Schultz (she/her/hers)
Megan’s journey into the realm of nature unfolded unconventionally. Despite her upbringing amidst the stunning landscapes of Colorado, she initially shied away from outdoor pursuits, harboring a deep-seated fear of the natural world. However, her enduring affection for animals steered her towards a degree in Zoology at Colorado State University. Upon realizing that Zoology didn’t align with her expectations, Megan heeded her advisor’s counsel to pivot towards Wildlife Biology. This pivotal decision led her to immerse herself in the untamed wilderness of Poudre Valley during a transformative summer course, an experience that ignited an unwavering passion for the outdoors. From this juncture, armed with a camera loaned by a roommate, Megan underwent a profound metamorphosis, evolving from a nature skeptic to an ardent advocate. Embarking on a trajectory that saw her assume roles such as Nature Center Naturalist at Denver Audubon, she now serves as the Adult Programs Coordinator at Butterfly Pavilion. Megan’s primary objective is to kindle the same transformative connection with nature in individuals who, like her, may not have been innate nature enthusiasts. Actively engaged in initiatives such as the Advancing Conservation through Empathy Network and various DEIA committees, she endeavors to redefine the essence of conservationism. In her journey, Megan is reshaping conventional paradigms, transitioning from skepticism to fervent advocacy, and demonstrating that one can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.
Sara Stevens (she/her/hers)
Sara Stevens is a marine biologist from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a marine biology option and a minor in chemistry. After obtaining her bachelor’s Sara started her career working in the private sector at a large-scale livestock retailer. This experience allowed her the opportunity to work with over 700 different species of aquatic organisms. In 2015, Sara transitioned into the zoo world and was hired as the aquarist at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO. In 2019 she was promoted to Aquatics Manager. Sara is the project lead on several research and conservation programs at Butterfly Pavilion. These projects include: rearing dragonflies in human care with a focus on the at risk Somatochlora hudsconica, overseeing the Colorado Dragonfly Monitoring Project (CDMP) a citizen science initiative to measure dragonfly populations within the Colorado Front Range, studying the impact of dune restoration on invertebrate populations in coastal Eureka, California, and collaborating with the AZA-Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project to care for imperiled coral from the Florida Reef Tract. In 2019, Sara joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Aquatic Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group as a steering committee member.